Boy, this is a tough one, but the fact that you’re actually asking this question means that you’re a much better writer than many already out there. Lots of people realize that they’re writing is, if not horrible at least not as good as it could be. But few go out of their way to find tips to make their writing better, and many are completely anathema to any suggestions that might imply their writing is sub par at best.
So besides the usual answers of write regularly and write often, what can a struggling writer do? Many things, in fact, so let’s cut right to the chase.
Boredom: Novelist Elmore Leonard encouraged writers to “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip,” when asked of the writing rules he lives by. I’ve always remembered this quote, mainly because I find it to be quite accurate. If I’m reading magazines or books that I just don’t care that much about, I’ll often scan through them. If something grabs my attention, I’ll read it. If something doesn’t, I’ll skip it. Lots of people read to escape boredom. Whether it’s sitting on the bus, taking that long international flight, or just waiting at the dentist’s office, people are trying to escape their rather dull existence, even if just for a few moments. No piece of writing is so critical to your text or story that it can’t be changed to read better, and bore less.
So besides the usual answers of write regularly and write often, what can a struggling writer do? Many things, in fact, so let’s cut right to the chase.
Boredom: Novelist Elmore Leonard encouraged writers to “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip,” when asked of the writing rules he lives by. I’ve always remembered this quote, mainly because I find it to be quite accurate. If I’m reading magazines or books that I just don’t care that much about, I’ll often scan through them. If something grabs my attention, I’ll read it. If something doesn’t, I’ll skip it. Lots of people read to escape boredom. Whether it’s sitting on the bus, taking that long international flight, or just waiting at the dentist’s office, people are trying to escape their rather dull existence, even if just for a few moments. No piece of writing is so critical to your text or story that it can’t be changed to read better, and bore less.
Audience: I’ve heard it many times before, “write to your audience.” This of course requires you to know who your audience is. Do you? Are you writing a novel you hope will one day be read by the entire world, or just some article that will get onto page 7,532 of Google? Knowing who you’re writing for will allow you to target that audience and write what they want to hear. I remember when I was forced to take the Writing Proficiency Examination at my university before graduating. Lots of people, especially those that weren’t in a liberal arts major, really dreaded the prospect of writing a 1 to 2 page essay on a subject they wouldn’t know until the day of the test. A teacher said, “If you’re asked to write about ice cream, don’t write about Disneyland.” I’m still not sure exactly what that means, and that’s probably why he’s teaching at a university. The point is that you should know who your audience is, what they want to hear, and then simply tell it to them. That’s what they want, after all, and what they’ll be paying you for if you’re successful enough at it.
Confidence: Nothing is a greater turnoff when you’re looking for a date than a man or woman who isn’t confident. Notice how they always question themselves and apologize profusely for even the most mundane of things? Well, if you’re writing without confidence, you’ll come off just the same as that lame date you had three weeks ago, the one you wish would take a hint and stop calling already. Mark Twain told writers to “show, don’t tell,” but I’ll tell you what Twain, I’ll damn well tell you, and you’ll listen because I know what I’m talking about and if you’ve made it this far, you agree. If you’re confident, it will come across. If you write with a clear, authoritative voice, it will come across. People will respect you, even if they don’t always agree with you.
Confidence: Nothing is a greater turnoff when you’re looking for a date than a man or woman who isn’t confident. Notice how they always question themselves and apologize profusely for even the most mundane of things? Well, if you’re writing without confidence, you’ll come off just the same as that lame date you had three weeks ago, the one you wish would take a hint and stop calling already. Mark Twain told writers to “show, don’t tell,” but I’ll tell you what Twain, I’ll damn well tell you, and you’ll listen because I know what I’m talking about and if you’ve made it this far, you agree. If you’re confident, it will come across. If you write with a clear, authoritative voice, it will come across. People will respect you, even if they don’t always agree with you.
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